Tuesday, 16 August 2016

Goal-hungry Costa wants to make the Chelsea attack his own

The Spain international's 89th minute winner was a
warning to any incoming striker to Stamford Bridge that he considers
himself the main man

Antonio Conte may still be keen to add another striker to his Chelsea
squad, but Diego Costa sent his manager a message that, whether Romelu
Lukaku joins or not, he is ready and willing to lead the line at
Stamford Bridge.
The Spain international scored a last minute winner against London
rivals West Ham as Conte took charge of Chelsea for the first time in
the Premier League
His strike saved Chelsea from a disappointing draw after James
Collins struck an equaliser against the run of play to cancel out Eden
Hazard's earlier strike.
Conte finds himself still chasing two players despite already kicking
off the Premier League campaign, with Lukaku his main target to improve
their forward line.
But while it was hardly a vintage performance for the current
first-choice centre-forward, he proved he still has the ability to pop
up with goals when the Blues most need them.
Costa's strike went against the run of play for him as he frustrated
by missing chances all evening, and he should have been sent off for a
late foul on West Ham's goalkeeper Adrian.
He will still have to do more to improve his all-round game, having
completed a meagre five passes in the first half. Costa's volatile
temperament must also come under control, as he received a booking for
dissent under new Premier League rules that will oblige players to keep
their thoughts about referees strictly personal.
Nevertheless, the goal is the confidence boost the 27-year-old
needed, especially after a summer of uncertainty with Atletico Madrid
looking to sign him - leaving him distracted during Chelsea's pre-season
tour.
Costa was also dropped by Spain for Euro 2016 and was one of many
players to suffer poor form under Jose Mourinho, but he has sent a
message to Conte that he is still capable of firing the goals required
this season.

And if Lukaku does come back to west London, he will certainly have a battle on his hands to take Costa's role at Chelsea.